Peking University's 2015 Camel Mountaineering Team Holds Arnie Mountain Climbing Defense Meeting

The climbing defense meeting is a necessary annual event for Peking University’s mountaineering teams. Its purpose is to present the team’s plans and preparation status, invite experts to identify potential issues, and offer advice to ensure more reasonable planning and the smooth progress of the climbing activities.

First, Piyu Dan, captain of the climbing team, gave a detailed introduction to the preparation for this mountaineering activity. The climb consistently adheres to the positioning of the Mountain Eagle Society’s summer climbing training—to ensure safety while helping members establish sound mountaineering concepts and safety awareness. The preparation and execution of the climb are designed to develop team members and train core members in selecting climbing routes, judging weather windows, assessing and properly responding to various alpine terrains, avoiding mountain hazards, mastering basic climbing techniques and tactics, understanding the organization of climbing activities, and cultivating a spirit of perseverance and responsibility.

Zhou Zechen, climbing captain, gave a comprehensive explanation of the climbing plan from three aspects: mountain profile, climbing route, and schedule. He clearly and meticulously outlined the difficulties and countermeasures for each phase. With well-prepared visual and textual materials, the attending experts and leaders could clearly visualize the climbing route and terrain changes of Arnie Mountain. Throughout the presentation, the guests continuously took notes.

Subsequently, the attending experts asked questions about the team’s various plans and offered suggestions.

Principal Sun Bin provided his insights on all aspects of the climb. First, he gained a detailed understanding of the route between Base Camp andC1the next camp, analyzed the climbing challenges and pros and cons of different sections, and discussed alternative routes with the climbing captain. He then offered suggestions for improving high-altitude and summit food, reminding the team not to be limited by budget or past summaries and to explore new ideas. He also gave practical and effective guidance on the preparation of emergency supplies and first aid knowledge. Finally, Coach Sun instructed: “Risk management should be more comprehensive, taking into account safety, execution, and the team members’ experience, and a serious contingency plan must be prepared for severe accidents.”

Coach Ci Luo first affirmed the overall plan of the climbing team. Regarding member development and decision-making systems, he learned more from the captains and offered his own suggestions: “During the climb, new members can listen in on discussions among veterans as a way to learn. When making decisions, it is hoped that the three captains and group leaders will form a decision-making committee, comprehensively considering each member’s actual experience and climbing ability, incorporating the coach’s opinions for greater efficiency.” For the summit grouping, Coach Ci suggested dividing into two groups and set higher requirements for the Mountain Eagle Society concerning descent and support arrangements.

Coach Fang Xiang addressed many detailed aspects of the plan, specifically inquiring about the specifications and rental conditions of equipment such as walkie-talkies, generators, and satellite phones. He reminded team members: “Do not overlook safety issues during entry to and exit from the mountain,” and emphasized the importance of preparing for extreme scenario emergency plans.

Teacher Li Shuping offered many suggestions on high-altitude medications, corrected common misconceptions, and exchanged experiences on medication use with the team doctor.

Teacher Qian Junwei expressed approval of the team’s overall plan and stated that during the preparation and actual climbing phases, he would urge the team to implement the experts’ advice to improve the team’s supplies, technical measures, and organizational support.

Teacher Shi Changyi emphasized the need to actively implement the experts’ suggestions and the established plan, maintain timely communication with experts, advisors, and the Communist Youth League Committee, and expressed high hopes for the Peking University Mountain Eagle Society’s summer climb.

Finally, the guests unanimously agreed: Peking University’s20152015 Camel Mountaineering Team has passed the Arnie Mountain climbing training activity defense.

The entire defense meeting lasted two hours. After the session, team members engaged in cordial conversations with the guests, and their various questions were answered patiently and thoroughly. The perspectives from which the guests considered issues and their rich experience in organizing climbing activities provided valuable insights for both new and veteran members. The climbing team once again expresses its heartfelt thanks to the teachers and seniors present at this meeting.